Chapter Text
"When do they get released?" Karl curiously looked inside the small room at the family that slept inside. Or one of them slept, at least. The large mer they had taken about two or three months ago was wide awake and alert, focused on the door, looking just as aggressive as he had seemed when they first rescued him.
"In another week or so, they'll be released together back where we found Red since we can't really separate them now. The guppy already imprinted on him, and it wouldn't do any good to separate them." Niki said
"How are they going to get them all out? He gets riled up even when we put food through the door." Karl asked quietly, moving aside to let Niki look and see.
"Probably sedate our big guy here and carry them out together. The pup could probably stay awake." Niki explained, walking back to the main tanks with Karl leaving the small family to their own devices for the time being.
When Techno awoke, the sunlight and warm sand under his scales were excessively bright. Although the sound of the ocean was welcomed, a rush of wind brought the scent of the sea. There was a moment when Techno relaxed. It was nice to be home.
Then, he panicked when he realized Thesus wasn't in his direct line of sight, a terror that soon dampened when he felt something squirming under the middle of his tail.
Rolling over revealed the pup curled up in a clumsily made hole, the little one making small sounds of protest at the light he was now exposed to. Then, attempting to crawl from the spot towards where Techno moved to.
Techno met him halfway, soothing rumbles leaving him to help lead the small pup towards him.
He went quiet as they struggled to leave the hole he had made earlier to escape the sun's heat. Then, pulling himself towards the larger while struggling to get a good grip on the not-so-solid ground of the sand.
An amused sound left Techno as he watched, curling his tail towards him so he could help, the pup grabbing onto the smaller spines to help drag him on his tail. Once that feat was accomplished, he half-wiggled and climbed over Techno's tail to reach him.
Said mer checked him over for injuries, but besides a bit of sunburn, he was fine, shying away from Techno's licks when he tried to soothe the irritated skin.
Techno's head lifted up at the sound of his pup hissing sharply, small and high-pitched at whatever was behind Techno. His fins flared up, a growl coming up from his chest as he turned to face the threat.
However, his whole demeanor did a one-eighty when he saw what it was.
Phil was behind him, patiently waiting for Techno's return from the humans for days on end. But, instead of looking at Techno, he was looking at the small pup challenging him, Thesus's fins rigid against the sand so he could stand his ground and protect his pod.
Techno admired his bravery, a soft, amused sound escaping him as he pushed against him with his hand, fingers curled to keep his claws from hurting him.
Thesus chirped at him, confused as to why his adoptive parent wasn't worried about the strange mer before them.
Techno smiled, calling Phil over with a short bark.
Said mer looked amused, approaching slowly and carefully towards the two of them, slowing when the pup hissed and puffed up, trying to look bigger than he was.
A questioning warble left Phil wondering why and how he acquired a pup.
Techno only gave a few chirps and low warbles in answer, watching as the pup dared to come forward and explore the new mer his parent had declared a friend.
Phil stood as still as possible as the pup came towards him curiously, looking non-threatening as he neared him. Theseus sniffed around him, batting his hand at him like a cat who was curious about an object yet too cautious about being totally comfortable with it.
When Theseus deemed him safe, he grew bold, dragging himself to Phil's tail and climbing over onto the mass of sharp, plated scales rolling and rubbing himself on the scales without care.
Phil curled his tail around him, which amazed the tiny pup. Seeing as how he'd never seen a mer's tail move as fluidly as Techno's so, this was something new and exciting.
The blonde mer beckoned Techno towards the sea, moving carefully to not disturb the pup too much. He soon learned it was for nothing as Thesus tumbled to the sand, angry squeaks filling the air as he turned to look affronted toward Phil. He should've known better than to move when he was obviously used for play.
Thesus's short-lived anger soon passed when they looked toward Techno and the ocean before him. Curious chirps and warbles left him as he struggled to crawl towards it, eager to see what lay below the surface.
Phil carefully escorted him towards the water's edge, nudging the little one gently with his hands towards it, giving a reassuring smile to encourage him forward.